Kuwait MPs seek more financial aid for citizens

Kuwait, January 27, 2013

A parliamentary committee in Kuwait proposed on Sunday that the government pay a portion of the interest on citizens' personal loans and give a KD1,000 ($3,500) gift to each Kuwaiti without such debts, state news agency Kuna reported.

The proposal from the financial and economic affairs committee, which is made up of members of parliament, would need approval of the wider assembly and the country's ruler if it is to be passed into law.

Lawmakers elected in December had originally sought a complete bailout of billions of dollars of household debt but were met with strong resistance from policymakers who said the plans were not feasible.

If the proposal becomes law it would not be the first time that Kuwait, one of the world's richest countries per capita, gives out such financial aid.

In 2011, to mark three major anniversaries, ruler Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah granted KD1,000 to each of the country's 1.2 million citizens and as well as free food rations for 13 months.

Kuwait's oil wealth and generous welfare state have helped to shield the country from severe Arab Spring-style unrest, although there have been frequent demonstrations over political participation and other local issues.

Under the plan proposed on Sunday, the government would pay off interest incurred on loans. Kuna said this applied to the period between January 2002 to April 2008, citing committee rapporteur Safa al-Hashem.-Reuters